Sept. 2002 This Active Life -- My Contribution

The 24-Hour Mentor

"They're the source of inspiration for me," Pennsylvania member Wilson Foust says of the students whom he has mentored. A testament to tenacity and the American dream, the students--all of Asian background and with limited English skills--came to Foust in middle or high school. Today, those students are attending quality postsecondary institutions with challenging majors and graduating with lucrative job offers.

What makes Foust so special is his willingness to be available to help students at all times. The former English teacher has climbed fire escapes in the snow to tutor in small, crowded apartments; helped students find jobs and new homes for their relatives; and assisted one student's family as it launched a small business. He even set up a toll-free telephone number so students going on to college can call him as often as they like.

His students, mostly Vietnamese, faced many obstacles. In the Vietnamese language, there are 40 tones, explains Foust. Different tones can be applied to change the meaning of a word. "Because these tones are picked up in childhood," he says, "it blocks spelling, reading, and writing (in English)." According to Foust, it takes Asian children who come directly to America around the eighth grade about 10 to 15 years to develop competency in English.

Meanwhile, these students frequently serve as interpreters, teachers, and leaders in their homes, says Foust. "They run the family. The parents can't speak English. The students are the only ones who can guide the family through the maze of doing taxes, finding a dentist, or even planning a funeral." By reminding his students of their important roles, he raises confidence and redirects their focus when they are discouraged.

When one of his very promising students, Pei Pei Chou, moved to Texas, he sent her books to help in her studies. Using his toll-free number, she called almost every night for help with her homework. When she needed hard-to-find information for a term paper, Foust faxed her materials from a gas station. Was the effort worth it? This May, Chou graduated from the University of Texas-Austin with a degree in Marketing and will join Proctor and Gamble at a very respectable salary.

Anh Huang Le, 19, is another success story. Le will attend Harrisburg Area Community College in Pennsylvania this fall and plans to study pharmaceutical chemistry. She describes Foust as "really calm, helpful, and understanding. He's like my dad, my best friend. When people need him, he's there." Le and Chou are only two of the many whose lives have been changed by Foust.

With the last of his students heading off to college, Foust has decided to mentor and teach in a new capacity. He hopes to teach ESL student teachers about ways to help non-English speaking students excel academically and socially.

Foust modestly says his students are the true heroes. "What motivated me was their drive and determination to do well. Even when they knew they were so far behind, even though they didn't have the resources, they still had the desire to show that they could excel."

--Lorinda Bullock

For More

Write to Foust at 2939 Lincoln Highway East, Gordonville, PA 17529-9524 or e-mail Wilson2833@aol.com.